1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

Posted by heritage1955 @heritage1955, Apr 1, 2016

Hi. I'm new to the site and am interested in treating osteoperosis. I'm 39 yo and recently had a bone density that showed I'm at -2.4. So, going through the intial "I can't believe it" stuff. 🙂

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

jaleen | @jaleen | Nov 14, 2016
In reply to @angelas "Has anyone received their 1st BMD scan with a low t-score, like -3.1 in the spine,..." + (show)
@angelas

<p>Has anyone received their 1st BMD scan with a low t-score, like -3.1 in the spine, and been prescribed Forteo? I'm 50 and a little freaked out as I thought I doing a baseline BMD scan. I have no underlying conditions that can explain the extremely low score. Family history of estrogen-receptive cancer puts HRT out of the question. I would like to wait a year, increase calcium/vit D/exercise, and get another scan. Thoughts?</p>

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Thank you very much for your information. Apparently you are being helped with these drugs and I am glad to hear it. As for me, I decided against Forteo and Prolia because of the risks (also, with Forteo, the expense). I was willing to go on a bisophosonate like Fosamax or Activol (I had been on Foxamax previously for 8 years) but my doctor said it might do me more harm than good. So I am trying to build bone with exercise and diet alone.  

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dolan | @dolan | Nov 14, 2016
In reply to @angelas "Has anyone received their 1st BMD scan with a low t-score, like -3.1 in the spine,..." + (show)
@angelas

<p>Has anyone received their 1st BMD scan with a low t-score, like -3.1 in the spine, and been prescribed Forteo? I'm 50 and a little freaked out as I thought I doing a baseline BMD scan. I have no underlying conditions that can explain the extremely low score. Family history of estrogen-receptive cancer puts HRT out of the question. I would like to wait a year, increase calcium/vit D/exercise, and get another scan. Thoughts?</p>

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You are receiving shots for Forteo or giving yourself shots? I did the self injection daily of Forteo for the maximum 2 years they allow anyone to be on it. I had fabulous results...then was switched to Fosamax following those 2 years. I got a 'drug holiday' then ended up falling and fracturing my pelvis in 5 places. Now on Prolia for the 3rd year. Am osteopenia now. Will have new DEXA scan next year.

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dolan | @dolan | Nov 14, 2016
In reply to @angelas "Has anyone received their 1st BMD scan with a low t-score, like -3.1 in the spine,..." + (show)
@angelas

<p>Has anyone received their 1st BMD scan with a low t-score, like -3.1 in the spine, and been prescribed Forteo? I'm 50 and a little freaked out as I thought I doing a baseline BMD scan. I have no underlying conditions that can explain the extremely low score. Family history of estrogen-receptive cancer puts HRT out of the question. I would like to wait a year, increase calcium/vit D/exercise, and get another scan. Thoughts?</p>

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I truly understand your situation. At 34 I reached over my head and fractured my T9, I reached for the phone and broke my clavicle, I sneezed and broke ribs, I fell and fractured my pelvis in 5 places. NO surgery on any. Lastly with the pelvis the specialist on call said...YOU HAVE 90 YEAR OLD BONES...I know. he kept asking me my age. I was 57 then. I am scared to death of winters (ice, snow...) I can turn an ankle and it will break. Step off a curb and break a leg...I have been on Fosamax, Forteo and now Prolia.

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jaleen | @jaleen | Nov 12, 2016
In reply to @angelas "Has anyone received their 1st BMD scan with a low t-score, like -3.1 in the spine,..." + (show)
@angelas

<p>Has anyone received their 1st BMD scan with a low t-score, like -3.1 in the spine, and been prescribed Forteo? I'm 50 and a little freaked out as I thought I doing a baseline BMD scan. I have no underlying conditions that can explain the extremely low score. Family history of estrogen-receptive cancer puts HRT out of the question. I would like to wait a year, increase calcium/vit D/exercise, and get another scan. Thoughts?</p>

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I checked out the specialty drug company you mentioned, called Lilly Cares, and found that they have an income cap for discounting their drugs, and I did not qualify because my income is over the cap. I called the company to verify and I was told that I did not qualify for any discounts. 

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lesleighjarrett | @lesleighjarrett | Nov 12, 2016
In reply to @angelas "Has anyone received their 1st BMD scan with a low t-score, like -3.1 in the spine,..." + (show)
@angelas

<p>Has anyone received their 1st BMD scan with a low t-score, like -3.1 in the spine, and been prescribed Forteo? I'm 50 and a little freaked out as I thought I doing a baseline BMD scan. I have no underlying conditions that can explain the extremely low score. Family history of estrogen-receptive cancer puts HRT out of the question. I would like to wait a year, increase calcium/vit D/exercise, and get another scan. Thoughts?</p>

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I am on my second month of forteo. So far the co-pay is $20/month. I'm told the Lilly co and the specialty drug store can help get your co-pay reduced if it is high.

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jaleen | @jaleen | Nov 12, 2016
In reply to @angelas "Has anyone received their 1st BMD scan with a low t-score, like -3.1 in the spine,..." + (show)
@angelas

<p>Has anyone received their 1st BMD scan with a low t-score, like -3.1 in the spine, and been prescribed Forteo? I'm 50 and a little freaked out as I thought I doing a baseline BMD scan. I have no underlying conditions that can explain the extremely low score. Family history of estrogen-receptive cancer puts HRT out of the question. I would like to wait a year, increase calcium/vit D/exercise, and get another scan. Thoughts?</p>

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Thanks for your reply. I am curious as to your out-of-pocket costs. I found out that with my insurance, it would cost me a total of  $6,000 over the 2-year program - at the least. The company reports that the price goes up three times a year so it would be even more.

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ColoradoAbbey | @lynnes | Nov 11, 2016
In reply to @angelas "Has anyone received their 1st BMD scan with a low t-score, like -3.1 in the spine,..." + (show)
@angelas

<p>Has anyone received their 1st BMD scan with a low t-score, like -3.1 in the spine, and been prescribed Forteo? I'm 50 and a little freaked out as I thought I doing a baseline BMD scan. I have no underlying conditions that can explain the extremely low score. Family history of estrogen-receptive cancer puts HRT out of the question. I would like to wait a year, increase calcium/vit D/exercise, and get another scan. Thoughts?</p>

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I'm taking Forteo. My last DEXA was -2.5 - I've had no problems with the drug. I also take 2,000 units Vitamin D a day on my doctor's recommendation. Good luck to you.

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dolan | @dolan | Sep 7, 2016

Forteo. It built up the bone mass I didn't have. After the 2 years I went back to Fosamax 70 mg to sustain it.

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jaleen | @jaleen | Sep 7, 2016

Dolan - Was it the Forteo or Foxamax that gave you 10% improvement in the spine?

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dolan | @dolan | Sep 7, 2016

I finally got a chance to quickly go thru my massive binder of medical records....Sept 1998 (back -3.8)(hip -1.7)....on Fosamax the first time...Aug 2004 after Forteo (neck .842) (spine(.760). back on 70 mg Fosamax in 2006 with an increased 3.3% right hip, 2.2% left hip and 10% spine. Both hips considered normal with slight osteopenia. 3rd year of Prolia will be complete Dec 2016.

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